I represent the first generation who, when we were born, the television was now a permanent fixture in our homes. When I was born people had breakfast with Barbara Walters, dinner with Walter Cronkite, and slept with Johnny Carson.
Read the full "Pre-ramble"

After graduating from the Pasadena Playhouse School of Theatre, Ralph Senensky began his career directing regional theatre and summer stock productions before moving into television, first as a production supervisor on Playhouse 90, then as an assistant producer (and, later, director) of episodes on Dr. Kildare. Ralph’s experience on Dr. Kildare led to a directing assignment on The Twilight Zone, which in turn paved the way for a long, prolific career as a television director that included work on such popular series as Route 66, Naked City, The Fugitive, The Wild Wild West, The Courtship of Eddie’s Father, The Partridge Family, The F.B.I, The Paper Chase, Dynasty, the original Star Trek, and The Waltons.

Ralph not only helmed twelve episodes of The Waltons ― which is the second-most number of shows he directed for any one TV series ― but many of the segments he did forThe Waltons rank among the very best episodes in the history of the show. We will talk to Ralph about The Waltons, as well as his experience working alongside Ralph Waite, Will Geer, Richard Thomas and other cast members, but we’ll also ask him about some of his other notable TV credits. Ralph Senensky will join us near the end of the first hour.

Ralph is also an active blogger who has shared many great stories and behind-the-scenes information about his experiences in network television. Read them at Senensky.com and Ralph-Senensky.Blogspot.com.

Also joining this week will be actress, author and "America's Audition Coach," Lar Park Lincoln. After three decades working in movies and television, including appearances in such films and TV series asHunter, Oprah, Fatal Charm, 60 Minutes, Children of the Night, Friday the 13th: Park VII, Beverly Hills 90210, Entertainment Tonight and a three-year stint on Knots Landing, Lar has turned her attention to helping parents, young hopeful and even veteran actors pursue their goals in the entertainment industry with truth and integrity, while avoiding the pitfalls. Lar Park Lincoln will join us in our first hour.

Lar’s book, Get Started, Not Scammed, is a How To guide to navigating the entertainment industry that is filled with great stories and hands-on information, based on her three decades of experience. For more information about Lar’s book and her coaching workshops, visit www.larparklincoln.com.

The first time I saw Harold Ramis was as one of the original cast members of the Canadian television sketch comedy show SCTVwhere he also served as head writer. Today many will talk about his work on the big screen, so I'd like to focus on his early work for the small screen.

Dr. Seuss is born.Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, the author and
illustrator of such beloved children's books as "The Cat in the Hat"
and "Green Eggs and Ham," is born in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Geisel, who used his middle name (which was also his mother's maiden name) as
his pen name, wrote 48 books--including some for adults--that have sold well
over 200 million copies and been translated into multiple languages. Dr. Seuss
books are known for their whimsical rhymes and quirky characters, which have
names like the Lorax and the Sneetches and live in places like Hooterville.

Geisel, who was born on March 2, 1904, in Springfield, Massachusetts, graduated
from Dartmouth College, where he was editor of the school's humor magazine, and
studied at Oxford University. There he met Helen Palmer, his first wife and the
person who encouraged him to become a professional illustrator. Back in
America, Geisel worked as a cartoonist for a variety of magazines and in
advertising.

The first children's book that Geisel wrote and illustrated, "And to Think
That I Saw It On Mulberry Street," was rejected by over two dozen
publishers before making it into print in 1937. Geisel's first bestseller,
"The Cat in the Hat," was published in 1957. The story of a
mischievous cat in a tall striped hat came about after his publisher asked him
to produce a book using 220 new-reader vocabulary words that could serve as an
entertaining alternative to the school reading primers children found boring.

Other Dr. Seuss classics include "Yertle the Turtle," "If I Ran
the Circus," "Fox in Socks" and "One Fish, Two Fish, Red
Fish, Blue Fish."

Some Dr. Seuss books tackled serious themes. "The Butter Battle Book"
(1984) was about the arms buildup and nuclear war threat during Ronald Reagan's
presidency. "Lorax" (1971) dealt with the environment.

Many Dr. Seuss books have been adapted for television and film, including
"How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" and "Horton Hears a Who!"
In 1990, Geisel published a book for adults titled "Oh, the Places You'll
Go" that became a hugely popular graduation gift for high school and
college students.

Geisel, who lived and worked in an old observatory in La Jolla, California,
known as "The Tower," died September 24, 1991, at age 87.

March 2, 1944

For the first time, the Academy Awards are presented
as part of a televised variety show.Jack Benny served as master of ceremonies for the event, which was held at
Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Due to lack of network interest, the
show was only broadcast locally, on two Los Angeles TV stations. Winners
included Best Film Going My Way, whose male lead, Bing Crosby, won Best
Actor. Ingrid Bergman won Best Actress for her performance in Gaslight.

CHILD OF TELEVISION @ iTunes

Pre-ramble

I represent the first generation whom, when we were born, the television was now a permanent fixture in our homes. When I was born people had breakfast with Barbara Walters, dinner with Walter Cronkite, and slept with Johnny Carson.
Read the full "Pre-ramble"